Over

Exams are over, my packing's nearly done, and my centre of balance has left the left lobe of my brain and returned to its rightful place (I had an ear infection last week). Life is good. It's sad to be picking up and leaving yet again, but I'm excited for the change and looking forward to seeing a few different places before I return here in the fall. It'll be interesting to be back on the prairies and see how I've changed in relation to my first world. My mom came out here to help me pack and being around her in this place is making me realize that I really am starting to grow up and define my world in terms of myself - what I want and think and choose - instead of in terms of what I've always known. It's kind of interesting. I realize that this is a point that most people come to in junior high, but what can I say? I'm a late bloomer. I never had the self-defining rebellion or whatever it is that brings a lot of people fully into themselves. Instead I moved across the country and tried a new life on for size. And, you know, it fits. It needs some adjusting, but by and large it's okay. I may keep it; I may not. It's nice, though, to know that I can make it for myself. And now, with that incomprehensible rambling over, I'm going to bed. Sleep sweet.

Ah, Pemberley

I am completely besotted with Mr. Darcy. Yes, I have been watching the new Pride and Prejudice. Yes, I do wish with all my heart and soul that I was Elizabeth Bennett. And yes, I am a hopeless romantic (although, as Jasmine has pointed out, not without a cynical side). For the sweet love, though, people, how long is it going to take before I meet a guy who likes me and I like and actually works out? I'm feeling a little hopeless here. And I'm tired. So goodnight.

The joy of doing something I don't like

I'm mediocre. I'm coming to terms with that fact. I won't get exceptional marks on my exams; if I can scrape by with an A- I'll be thrilled. This is a new and somewhat anomalous stage in my life. I'm not sure if it's healthy or not; I'm not sure how long it will last. Hopefully the sensation remains strong enough to get me through exams without panicking but not strong enough to let me through without studying.

If only I cared.

It makes me think...

79 people died and 160 were injured in a suicide attack on a Baghdad mosque last Friday. There's something to be said for living in a country where a death toll of 8 is considered one of the worst massacres in national history.

One down, four to go

Nance stares pensively at the computer screen as she counts the cases in her mind. Jones v. Hart, BG Checo v. BC Hydro, Kapchuk v. whoever-it-was; an intermittent stream of names - cases and courts, plaintiffs and magistrates, terms of art and terms of endearment - runs between her temples, seemingly draining out of the rational lobe of her brain and settling into a low, dull ache. Her knees are stiff; her back is stiff; her brain is stiff. She catches faint whiffs of herself from time to time; personal hygiene has never seemed less important. Romance? Not likely. Her love life is limited to the occasional strain of Michael Buble mellowly emanating from the kitchen. The sound of a growling stomach is her one chance to escape the living room and take a half-hour away from the computer to make a meal. She blesses her mother for worrying that she's not eating well: trips to the grocery store and delicious hours spent preparing well-balanced meals can be written off as the acts of a dutiful daughter, rather than the desperate graspings of an unmotivated student.

Twitterpated

For the record, I'm not in love. I'm not even twitterpated - although apparently everyone else is. Seriously, folks, what's with the spring fever? No, in all honesty, I'm very, very happy for everyone who's finding someone. And you know who you are.

More distractions...

I'm still studying exclusion clauses, so here are some more quizzes.

You Are 22% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

You Are a Coy Flirt

You may not seem like you're flirting, but you know exactly what you're doing. You draw people in, very calculatingly, without them even knowing. Subtle and understated, you know how to best leverage your sex appeal. A sexy enigma, you easily become an object of obsession.

What Kind of Flirt Are You?

Your Quirk Factor: 49%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How Quirky Are You?

Snickers

Nutty and gooey - you always satisfy.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

You Are Fall Flowers

Beautiful yet often forgotten.

What Part of Fall Are You?

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it. In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Distractions...

I'm supposed to be studying contracts but I'm doing personality quizzes instead. They're strangely revealing. You'll notice, too, that they never point out the flaws. For instance, instead of telling me I'm cold, they say I'm withdrawn. Instead of informing me that I'm irritatingly combative, they tell me that my mind is a weapon. Oh well, I like it and it makes me feel good about myself to pretend that it's all true. And that was another 30 minutes I didn't have to spend trying to figure out what the Supreme Court of Canada thinks about standard form agreements and exclusion clauses. I recommend the quizzes.

My favourite is the socks. I'm not sure about the accuracy of the others.

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant. Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle. You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important. You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection. You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher. You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait.. With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

You Are Socks!

Cozy and warm... but easily lost. You make a good puppet.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick

You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times. Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness! Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

You Belong in Amsterdam

A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam. Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city).

What European City Do You Belong In?